Chapter 137: Too Big

Zu An was still in a daze even after entering the secret realm, continuously scrutinizing Ji Xiaoxi.

Ji Xiaoxi felt a bit embarrassed under his gaze. "Teacher Zu, what are you looking at?"

"Given our relationship, calling me 'teacher' is too formal."

"Zu... Big Brother."

"Just call me Ah Zu."

"Ah Zu?"

Zu An circled Ji Xiaoxi, finding it incredibly hard to connect the adorable little girl in front of him with the domineering, aloof, and sophisticated Dean Jiang Luofu. "Is Dean Jiang your mother?"

Ji Xiaoxi shook her head. "No, she's my aunt."

"Aunt?" For some reason, Zu An breathed a sigh of relief upon learning that Dean Jiang was not her mother. *Of course, how could an ordinary man be worthy of someone like Dean Jiang? Only a dashing man like myself might stand a chance.*

At that moment, he suddenly understood why Jiang Luofu knew about the seal placed on him. He had initially thought it was due to her cultivation being high enough to see through his hidden ailment.

*Thank goodness. Otherwise, if everyone in the world knew, how could I ever face anyone?*

*Even if they're relatives, it's outrageous that Ji Dengtu revealed my condition to her. Does he have any medical ethics?*

*During the last family competition, no wonder that guy was ogling beauties everywhere but completely ignored the most beautiful one, Jiang Luofu. Turns out they were too familiar for him to make a move.*

*Wait, isn't Jiang Luofu Ji Dengtu's sister-in-law? Given his lecherous nature, how could he not have any thoughts about her?*

"Ah Zu, what's wrong?" Ji Xiaoxi noticed his expression fluctuating between tension and relief, unaware of the myriad thoughts that had crossed his mind in that brief moment.

"Uh, nothing. By the way, where's your mother? I've known you for so long, but I've never heard anything about her." Zu An decided to probe indirectly.

Ji Xiaoxi's eyes immediately reddened. "My mother has been gone ever since I can remember."

Seeing her long eyelashes tremble slightly and tears welling up in her eyes, as if about to fall at any moment, Zu An panicked. "I'm sorry, please don't cry."

Ji Xiaoxi hummed softly, wiped the corner of her eye, and then forced a brave smile. "It's alright, I've actually gotten used to it."

Zu An didn't dare to ask about his father's relationship with Jiang Luofu anymore. He'd find another opportunity later.

Next, he began to carefully observe their surroundings. They seemed to be in a plains area, with yellowed weeds stretching as far as the eye could see. It appeared to be autumn in the secret realm. Scattered across the vast plain were small groves of trees and some low hills.

In the distance, the horizon showed dark green undulations, likely towering mountains, though they were too far to discern clearly.

*This secret realm seems quite ordinary.*

Zu An secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had expected it to be either overrun with dinosaurs and monsters, or a hellish landscape with sparks flying everywhere. But this world didn't seem much different from the outside world.

At this point, the other people around them also gradually calmed down from their initial excitement of entering the secret realm.

"Xiaoman, let's go." Chu Chuyan glanced at Zu An, seeing him chatting happily with Ji Xiaoxi. Her usually frosty face showed no emotion as she tipped her toes, her skirts flowing, and her figure gradually turned into a small dot, disappearing into the distance.

"As expected of the academy's top talent, that movement technique is truly graceful."

"Are you really looking at her movement technique? I don't even need to expose you."

"You're practically drooling. Wipe it off."

...

"Protect yourself well, don't get killed~" Pei Mianman sent a spiritual message, throwing Zu An a flirtatious glance as she left. A string of silvery laughter lingered in the air as she followed Chu Chuyan.

Because of their friendship, the two might stay together for a while, but given the vastness of the secret realm, they would eventually separate to explore individually.

"That voice just pulls at my soul."

"It makes my whole body go limp."

"You're weak. I'm the opposite."

...

Hearing their whispers, Zu An couldn't help but feel contempt. *You can't even handle her voice? Look at you! I was rolling around on the ground with her, having the most intimate physical contact, did I go around showing off?*

Shi Kun watched the retreating figures of the two women and fell into thought. *I hadn't looked closely before, but now I see how truly enchanting Pei Mianman is. There's a certain allure deep within her. Hmm, Chu Chuyan is suitable for a wife, but Pei Mianman is perfect for a mistress.*

*I heard she's a concubine's daughter from the Pei family. Hmph, there might actually be a chance to get her.*

To avoid suspicion later, he hadn't even made eye contact with Zu An after entering the secret realm.

"Fellow students, take care on your journey. I'll be going now." Shi Kun cupped his hands to the crowd. Apart from Zu An, who knew the truth, his manners were impeccable, and combined with his outstanding appearance, he indeed garnered much goodwill from onlookers.

With these few taking the lead, the other fifth-grade students also departed one after another.

"Everyone in our group, follow me. Don't get separated later." Lu De called out to his students. He disliked Zu An's glib demeanor, so he left without even a greeting, leading his students in another direction.

Bai Susu swayed seductively as she approached. "Teacher Zu, would you like to explore with us later?"

Zu An smiled slightly. "Thank you for your kindness, Teacher Bai. We plan to explore on our own."

*Are you kidding? After reading so many novels, when does the protagonist ever stick with the main group? Only when acting alone can one stumble upon all sorts of miraculous encounters.*

*These losers better not interfere with my luck.*

"Alright, but you must take good care of Xiaoxi, you know. There isn't a single teacher or student in the whole academy who doesn't like her. If anything happens to her, let alone others, I won't forgive you either." Bai Susu "giggled" delicately.

"Teacher Bai, I can take care of myself." Ji Xiaoxi said, blushing. She didn't want to cause Zu An trouble.

"Xiaoxi, you're truly considerate. Here, take this. If you encounter danger, activate it. If I see it nearby, I'll rush over to save you." Bai Susu said, handing Ji Xiaoxi something resembling a signal flare.

"Thank you, Teacher Bai." This time, Ji Xiaoxi didn't decline.

After Bai Susu left, many others came to advise Ji Xiaoxi, with quite a few offering medicine, hidden weapons, and self-defense items.

Zu An couldn't help but exclaim, "Xiaoxi, I never realized how popular you are at school. You're practically the campus darling!"

"Ah~ Are you calling me a pet?" Ji Xiaoxi pouted, clearly displeased.

"I'm praising your cuteness." Seeing her sulking, Zu An found her incredibly adorable and instinctively wanted to pat her head. However, remembering the last time his hand swelled up like a steamed bun, he reluctantly pulled it back.

*That Ji Dengtu, being a lecher himself, thinks all other men are as lecherous, and has truly protected his daughter with 360-degree coverage.*

Hearing his explanation, Ji Xiaoxi's mood brightened. "Here, I don't need all of these. Take some."

Saying this, she handed Zu An some of the medicine bottles and hidden mechanical weapons she had just received.

Zu An's system instantly registered a large string of Rage points. He turned around and saw many male students glaring furiously at him.

He had originally intended to politely decline, but seeing this, he immediately accepted the items. "Haha, thank you, Xiaoxi!"

Even more Rage points poured into his system.

Zu An shook his head. *As a teacher, I was just giving you a lesson: "Simps have no future."*

"Ahem, Brother Zu, you truly are the center of attention wherever you go." Xie Xiu walked over with a smile, secretly admiring Zu An. *With this guy's ability to attract ridicule, how has he managed to survive until now?*

"Please call me Teacher Zu." Zu An cleared his throat and straightened his back.

Xie Xiu was speechless.

*This guy doesn't play by the rules. How am I supposed to respond?*

However, Zu An immediately added, "But considering our friendship, let's not be strangers. You can call me Ah Zu from now on."

"Uh, alright, Ah Zu," Xie Xiu nearly forgot his purpose due to Zu An's antics. "The secret realm opens only once every few decades. Even if something truly happens here, no one outside will find any trace, which is why it's always been a good place for murder and robbery. You must be careful these ten days."

"Haha, you're a good kid, I'll definitely be friends with you." Zu An changed the subject. "By the way, that beauty next to you during the last family competition was your sister, right? Why didn't she come into the secret realm this time? When can you introduce me to her?"

Xie Xiu was speechless. *Are you making friends with me because I'm a good person, or because I have a beautiful sister?*

"My sister isn't interested in secret realms..." Xie Xiu chuckled, vaguely fended him off with a few words, and then fled in a hurry. It seemed that dealing with men was indeed not as effortless for him as dealing with women.

Once only the two of them were left, Ji Xiaoxi couldn't help but mumble, "Ah Zu, you're so naughty."

Zu An was taken aback. "What did I do that was naughty?"

"You... you..." Ji Xiaoxi glanced at Zu An's lower abdomen, her eyes flickering away. "...and you still like beauties so much."

"What do you know, kid?" Zu An replied. "This is called planning ahead. Once I'm cured in this secret realm, I'll be able to seamlessly connect. Only mediocre people take things one step at a time. A wise man like me definitely plans everything in advance."

Ji Xiaoxi blinked. She didn't grasp everything, but she did admire his optimism, especially since finding the Traceless Illusionary Lotus was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Of course, being kind-hearted, she couldn't bear to dampen his spirits by saying anything at that moment.

"Which way should we go next?"

"Let's go west, all the way west!"

...

The two walked west for a short while, chatting pleasantly. Suddenly, Zu An heard a sharp whistling sound coming from the side. He quickly pulled Ji Xiaoxi aside, dodging, and at the same time, pushed off the ground with his toes, leaving their previous spot.

Only then did they see several long, yellowish-brown thorns embedded where they had just been standing. If they had been impaled, they would have been severely injured, if not killed.

"What's happening?"

Zu An noticed a massive rat gnashing its teeth at them not far away. It certainly looked like a rat, but it was incredibly, unbelievably huge!

Its size was like that of a warthog!

However, his attention was then drawn to the tingling and stinging sensation on his hand. He said with a frustrated expression, "Xiaoxi, the antidote~"